During a press conference Thursday, Mr. Martin said he had asked
his staff to draft a document incorporating a variety of possible
outcomes for the merger proposal. He wouldn't go into specifics
about exactly what he had asked his staff to draft, and said he
hadn't made a final decision on the outcome.

"I have the staff drafting various options," Mr. Martin said. "I
haven't figured out what I think we should do on it yet."

But assigning staff to work on a draft signals that the FCC has
finished its research, and would be prepared to act relatively
quickly once the Justice Department, the other regulatory body
which must rule on the merger, issues its decision. Mr. Martin
said it was unlikely a ruling from the FCC would come by the end
of the first quarter, in contrast to remarks he has made in
recent months.

It's obvious to everyone -- except regulators, apparently -- that
the two satellite radio companies are competing with many more
companies and industries than just each other. The fact that
Kevin Martin hasn't made up his mind yet about the deal is
laughable.